Spain Enjoying the Breeze

According to the nation’s electricity network authority, Spain’s wind energy generators reached an all-time high in electricity production late in March, exceeding power generated by all other means. Wind power generation rose to contribute 27 percent of the country’s total power requirement, which translates into 8,375 megawatts (MW) to the nation’s power consumption of 31,033.

Nuclear power, the second-largest contributor, added 6,797 MW, while coal-fired electric generation came third with 5,081. National broadcaster TVE said it believed it was the first time wind power exceeded nuclear power’s contribution to the power grid.

Over the course of last year, wind power contributed only 9 percent of the nation’s requirement while coal-fired power stations put in 24 percent and nuclear power 22 percent. In recent years, however, Spain has turned to harnessing wind power through the use of tall, slender electricity generating turbines on remote hillsides. It’s proving to be more effective, and the country is turning toward a reliance on clean, renewable power. EC